Financial scams are a common phenomenon in the country; according to data released by the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $3.8 billion due to investment scams in 2022. So, it is important to remain vigilant and practice caution before initiating any online interaction or transaction with a business or a stranger. Here is a look at some common mistakes you should avoid to protect yourself from financial fraud: Using one password for multiple accounts You should frequently change passwords for your sensitive accounts, like those on banking apps and other platforms that have access to your confidential information. So, your accounts investment portals and digital wallets should have unique and strong passwords that are not easy to crack. It is also important to note that using one password for all your accounts increases the risk of fraud. When one account is hacked, others with the same password can also be hacked. Falling for shopping scams Online shopping has made it extremely convenient for customers to order anything from anywhere. While this has helped businesses grow, it has made room for all kinds of scams. You should ensure that the business you are buying from is legitimate. Not only that, you should use a secure Wi-Fi network to carry out all kinds of transactions. Responding to phishing mails This is a common fraud where scammers disguise themselves as bank executives and send emails to the bank’s customers. They will ask to update account information or confirm bank details with you. You should never respond to such emails, as no reliable bank will contact you to re-confirm or demand any personal or financial information that they already have. Discarding confidential documents In case you are disposing of any old bank documents, ensure that nobody can read or access them.

The process of securing a home loan can be both exciting and daunting. A home loan is a noteworthy financial investment that requires careful consideration and meticulous planning. Unfortunately, many make mistakes during application, leading to costly consequences in the future. This is mainly the case with first-time homebuyers. Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid when applying for a home loan to ensure a smoother and successful application experience. Neglecting the credit score One’s credit score is a vital factor in securing a home loan. Failing to check and improve this score beforehand is a mistake. Lenders heavily rely on this metric to assess the borrower’s creditworthiness. Individuals should take the time to review their credit reports, rectify inaccuracies, and work on boosting their scores before initiating the application process. Overlooking pre-approval Getting pre-approved gives a clear picture of the loan amount one qualifies for and reassures sellers that the buyer is serious and financially capable. By bypassing this step, applicants may find themselves in a weaker negotiating position or even risk losing out on their dream home to a more prepared buyer. Ignoring the importance of a down payment While many loan programs have low down payments, experts recommend paying a significant sum upfront. A larger down payment reduces the overall loan amount, leads to lower monthly mortgage payments, and offers more favorable interest rates. Overlooking this aspect can lead to higher costs in the long run. Not shopping around for lenders Settling for the first bank or financial institution can be a costly mistake. The terms, fees, and interest rates vary from one lender to another. By not comparing offers from multiple sources, applicants may end up with a loan that doesn’t align with their financial goals. Shopping around and getting quotes from different lenders can help save money over the life of the loan.

Paying off credit card debt can be a tedious and lengthy process. However, with proper planning, you can reduce your debt to a substantially low amount. Failure to pay credit card bills on time can jeopardize your financial well-being, which must be addressed and corrected as soon as possible. As debt accumulates, so does the stress. Here are some of the mistakes that are commonly made while paying off debt that can easily be avoided. Continuing to use the credit card It is crucial to refrain from using a credit card that has a significant amount of debt until the entire debt has been paid off. Though you may be able to make your monthly payments and reduce the amount of debt over time, the interest charges will continue to compound and accumulate each month, resulting in a much larger debt than you initially incurred. To put an end to this cycle, it is necessary to stop using the credit card completely, at least until all the outstanding dues have been cleared. Also, do not fall prey to “buy now, pay later” shopping schemes. Lack of planning Having a well-planned strategy is the only way to get out of debt easily. Failing to schedule timely payments and ignoring accrued interest on time will only lead to increased debt over time. Therefore, set a target and break it down into short-term objectives to achieve the desired financial outcome. Ignoring the root cause Analyze the reason behind your current financial situation and identify what led you to overspend. Overspending is a hugely common problem, especially for those who rely heavily on credit cards for their purchases. If you do not plan your expenses, it becomes difficult to manage your bills and pay them on time. Therefore, identify the root cause of your debt and work on a budget to improve your financial management in the future.

Long eyelashes and bushy brows are all the rage right now. People have been investing in eyelash extensions, falsies, and even splurging on expensive products to perfect their lash and brow game. But did you know that you can also promote lash and brow growth with the help of serums? In this article, we discuss a few of the best top lash and brow growth serums that will help you achieve just that. Latisse  If you’re looking for a good lash and brow growth serum, you may want to check out Latisse. It is the only FDA-approved eyelash serum that is available in prescription strength. The serum is formulated with bimatoprost, an active ingredient that helps stimulate growth in the eyelashes in four to six weeks. It’s a super-powerful product; however, if overused or misused, it can lead to irritation in the eye and even potentially cause eye-color change. It costs around $100 and is available on a precipitation basis on certain online stores. GrandeLash MD  When it comes to over-the-counter top last and brow growth serums, GrandeLash MD is one of the best. The $65 serum promotes natural lash growth and works to help achieve those thick lashes. Aside from promoting new and thick growth, GrandeLash MD also helps strengthen the already present eyelashes and hydrates them. Proper use will result in longer and better-looking lashes in four to six weeks. CoverGirl Lash Blast Lash & Brow Serum The CoverGirl Lash Blast Lash & Brow Serum is made to tackle brittle lashes and brows. It is made from a combination of bamboo extract, peptides, castor oil, and biotin that smoothens, strengthens, and thickens lashes with consistent use. The best part of this top lash and brow growth serum is its consistency and texture. The serum is smooth to apply and is suitable to use under mascara or other makeup products.

Millennials are all for quick fixes, and you cannot blame them as they need to be on par with their fast-paced life. Our tendency to opt for things that make our lives easier now includes foods as well; we would prefer heating the pan pizza for breakfast rather than take the efforts to make scrambled eggs. When the weigh scale shoots past one’s previous weight is when realization dawns upon them that there are no quick fixes to losing those extra pounds. Though you can conquer the three important meals of the day without giving in to any temptations, snack time is when your conviction is tested. It is always easier to buy processed food off the shelves of the supermarket rather than toiling in the kitchen to make the perfect healthy snack. No one said that making healthy food choices will be easy, so, instead of navigating your way to the ready-to-make snacks or potato chips to satisfy your hunger, you can try some easy healthy snack ideas that the Internet is rife with. Here are some of the easy healthy snack ideas that wouldn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen and can satisfy your hunger pangs as well. Chia seed pudding Everyone loves pudding! However, it’s not the right choice if you wish to eat healthily and control your sweet tooth. So, instead of your regular pudding, you can treat yourself to chia seed pudding. The major ingredients used for concocting this delicious healthy snack are organic coconut milk and three tablespoons of organic chia seeds. All you to have to do is mix these ingredients in a mason jar and add cinnamon or honey as a sweetener. Allow this mixture to sit overnight, and relish it the next day. Hummus and veggies mason jar This is an extremely easy healthy snack idea and doesn’t require chef-like skills.

As the saying goes, “Shoes are like makeup for the feet.” A great pair of shoes is crucial to complete any outfit. To buy the perfect pair, one must consider the types and colors of clothes in one’s wardrobe. With Black Friday 2023 around the corner, many well-known brands will offer significant discounts on trendy footwear. Based on last year’s offerings, here are some expected deals on several categories this shopping season. Running shoes and sneakers Based on the last Black Friday deals, Adidas running shoes and sneakers were offered at discounted prices on several e-commerce websites. For example, the grippy Adidas Ultraboost 22 was offered at 37% off its original price on Zappos, Bloomingdale’s, and the Adidas website. Nike offers a wide range of running shoes with distinct features, including the reputed Pegasus, Alphafly, and Vaporfly shoes. While Pegasus shoes are popularly used as casual sneakers for daily walking, running, or workout activities, Alphafly and Vaporfly offer increased protection to one’s feet. They are ideal for marathon and half-marathon runners. Nike offered up to 60% off on its running shoes, boots, and other shoe types; moreover, one could save 20% extra by using the coupon code “BLACKFRIDAY.” Platforms Platform shoes, sandals, and boots have thick soles and are typically made of cork, rubber, or plastic. The outfits that complement platforms depend on the type of platform being worn. For example, while casual platform loafers would be a good choice with jeans and a T-shirt or a casual dress, platform boots would pair well with full-length trousers or wide-leg pants. Versace is top-rated for their style quotient, satin design, and tall platform pumps. Their sparkling crystals and adjustable straps enhance the elegance of these women’s shoes. Available in several vibrant shades – including baby pink, red, fuchsia, purple, and black – these chic platform pumps were available for flat 60% off last Black Friday.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers have quickly gained popularity. With most people opting for smartwatches over regular watches for their daily lives, these devices offer more than just convenience. They are equipped with fitness and activity trackers and instantly notify users about calls, texts, and other important events. For those considering buying a new smartwatch, looking for deals around Black Friday 2023 may be a good idea. Here are some expected deals for this year: Luxe smartwatches 1. The Garmin Venu 2 was marked down by $50, bringing its retail price to $349 for Black Friday last year. The watch comes with preloaded workouts and sports apps, including walking, running, cardio, strength training, yoga, HIIT, and more. It also has monitoring and tracking features that capture body battery energy levels, sleep scores, insights, stress tracking, etc. The smartwatch also has music and voice assistant and a battery that can run up to 9 days on a single charge. 2. The Fossil Gen 6 retailed for $139 last year, down from its original price of $218.99. This premium watch has all health and activity tracking features, such as ECG, sleep monitor, body composition analysis, VO2 Max readings, and more. Budget-friendly smartwatches 3. The Fitbit Luxe sported a 15% discount at sales last year, bringing its price down to $109.95. With a battery life of up to five days, this watch is a great tool to help one get better sleep with tracking and sleep score and get in touch with body health metrics like breathing rate, heart rate variability, etc. 4. Buyers could get up to $150 off on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic last year, bringing its price down to $199. The watch has sensors such as an accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor, optical heart rate sensor, electrical heart sensor, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor, and a hall sensor.

Diabetes is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It interferes with the body’s ability to process blood sugar, or blood glucose. Every single diabetes patient probably knows that they must eat healthy to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, the problem is that many foods marketed as healthy and considered diabetes-friendly can actually cause a spike in blood sugar levels. In this article, we’ve listed foods many people don’t know are bad for diabetics. Brown rice When thinking of healthy rice, brown rice is the first thing that comes to many people’s minds. It is a whole grain that has the bran, germ, and endosperm intact. Indeed, brown rice is healthier than white rice, thanks to its rich fiber content. But it also contains a high amount of carbohydrates, which quickly break down into glucose, sending blood sugar levels soaring. Before making a brown rice recipe, it’s important to watch the portion size to prevent a spike in blood sugar. Dried fruits Many people have the habit of noshing on dry fruits. But these fruits, particularly raisins, are bad food choices for those with diabetes. When a fruit is dried, it loses all water, resulting in a higher concentration of its various nutrients, including sugar and carbohydrates. Raisins should particularly be avoided as they have more than four times the amount of carbohydrates as grapes. One should also avoid dried apricots, mangoes, and cranberries. Fresh berries and a small apple are a healthier alternative. Yogurt Yogurt is thought of as a healthy, digestion-boosting food. But that may be true only if it’s plain yogurt with no added sugar. However, most yogurt varieties sold in the market are fruit-flavored, meaning they’re loaded with sugar and carbohydrates. They are typically made from nonfat or low-fat milk, which is prepared by adding stabilizers, thickeners, and more sugar.

Buying a house is an exciting task. Successfully completing the purchase of a property can make one feel like a million bucks. But since the process is lengthy and challenging, it is easy for one to make mistakes at any point. These mistakes can be made by first-time buyers as well as experienced home buyers, and they can prove to be costly either way, impacting one’s overall finances and stability. Not sticking to the budget In several cases, buying a house is the single most expensive purchase one might make. This may lead to a desire to splurge on the property. But, with the amount of money involved in the purchase, it is important to have a fixed budget for the house, including factors like possible renovations and other costs. This will keep one from overspending while protecting their assets. Not hiring an agent A big mistake people can make while buying a home is directly contacting the person registered on the listing. As a buyer, this step can cost heavily. Chances are that the listed person is the home seller’s agent, who would want to get the best possible quote for their client. For buyers to find a deal that best suits their interests, hiring a buyer’s agent is important. Once hired, the agent will do all the preliminary research and paperwork, and the buyers can focus on checking the property and approving the negotiation. Skipping negotiation Home buyers often find it difficult to negotiate the price of the house they are looking to buy. In some cases, it is because they are afraid of insulting or offending the buyers. However, not negotiating can be a costly mistake for the buyer. If one is unsure, one must have a buyer’s agent negotiate with the seller. They can quote an appropriate amount based on the property’s condition and how long it has been listed on the market.

Fashion is ever evolving, changing, growing, and recycling. There are new trends every few months. Some don’t stick around too long, while some creep their way into your basic wardrobe. Of course, 2022 has also seen a massive shift in fashion. Our trends are now not just about high fashion but also about comfort and care. If you’re curious about what 2022 has seen so far in terms of fashion, read on. Sweatpants and sweatshirts Fashion has not always been about comfort. But, in many ways, that’s changing and one of the latest trends that prove it is athleisure. Sweatpants have seen the ultimate glow up, and they’ve gone from homewear to high-fashion launches. You can wear any type of sweats you like. You can shop for baggy and oversized options or even go for monotone fits in different fabrics. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even bag a pair of color-coordinated sweats. In any case, leisurely loungewear is here to stay. Shop from one of the most popular activewear brands and check out the Pre-Collection latest Burberry jogging suits AW22 to avail discounts today. Get the latest offers and avail additional coupon codes online today. Platform shoes Another fashion trend that has taken over social media and the wardrobes of Gen-Z and millennials is platform shoes. Platform shoes have been around for a very long time and have been a staple across different civilizations and cultures. They were apparently first seen in Greece in 220 B.C. and were also very popular during the 1970s Disco era. Thankfully for us, these fabulous accessories have made a complete comeback and are definitely now a part of a basic wardrobe. Low-waisted pants Low-waisted pants were all the rage back in the 2000s. They were a common sight on red carpets and have made a swift comeback this decade.

Consumer goods are one of the top-selling categories at every Black Friday sale. And Black Friday 2023 will likely be no exception, with many early bird discounts and branded offers on men’s, women’s, and unisex handbags designed for casual outings and formal meetings. This is the best time to buy premium-crafted handbags and accessories. Here are the top 10 types of handbags that might have huge discounts based on the previous Black Friday’s sale trend. 1. Shoulder bags Shoulder bags are the standard go-to handbag. Functional design and the many features are the main reasons shoulder bags are one of the bestselling products in the handbag category. Shoulder bags have a long strap, multiple zipper compartments, and ample space to store all necessary products and consumer electronics. Customers got sitewide discounts of up to 60% on top-branded shoulder bag products last year. 2. Tote bags Tote bags feature some of the largest designs when it comes to handbags. Usually, tote bags are square or rectangular and come with a wide bottom capable of storing multiple things. These bags also have two large handles that make it easy to carry the heavy bag once it is filled up to the top. The handles also double up as shoulder straps, so consumers can distribute the weight of the bag across their shoulders. Based on the previous year’s sale, customers can expect up to 70% off on a popular range of tote bags. 3. Satchels Satchels are smaller tote bags with a more fancy and sophisticated design. One thing in common with the tote bag is the wide bottom, but unlike the bulky design, satchels are smaller in size and come with various compartments to store things. Satchel bags are ideal for carrying small electronics for school, work, or even travel, as they come with a secure zipper or strap design.

Dodge Ram has been a critics’ favorite in the trucks segment, and the 2020 edition of the Dodge Ram 2500 is certainly a head-turner. The Dodge Ram 2500 has three cab styles: regular, crew cab, and mega cab. With impressive specs and multiple options to choose from, the Dodge Ram 2500 is the most popular three-quarter-ton truck available in the market today. A look at the interiors and exteriors Let’s take a look at the exterior and interior features of the Dodge Ram 2500: Exteriors A bold Ram logo on the grille face in place of the grille design in the older variant, along with headlights similar to the Dodge Ram 1500, give a bullish appearance to the truck. Further, each trim level gets its own look. While the lower models have a steel and plastic finish, the top-end models come with a chrome finish. The entry-level model comes with 17-inch wheels, and the mid-range versions have 18-inch wheels. If you opt for the top-end model, the 20-inch wheels make it worth the money spent. For the crew cab, there are two bed lengths: 8’ and 6’4”. The regular cab variant gets the standard 8-feet box, while the mega cab version comes with the 6’4” bed. Except for the base model, you can also opt for a single-pane sunroof on all variants. The dimensions of the trucks also vary across the ranges. While the regular cab comes in a length of 232 inches, the length of the crew cab is 238.8 inches. The length of the mega cab is impressive at just shy of 250 inches. The ground clearance is 13 inches, 11.1 to 13.1 inches based on the drivetrain chosen, and 13.1 inches, respectively. Interiors With a seating capacity of three, there’s ample legroom in the rear in each of the three variants, with legroom being the highest in the mega cab.